It’s easy to get confused about which foods are healthy and which aren’t.

You generally want to avoid certain foods if you want to lose weight and prevent chronic illnesses.

In this article, healthy alternatives are mentioned whenever possible.

Here are 10 foods that are generally unhealthy — although most people can eat them in moderation on special occasions without any permanent damage to their health.

1. Sugary drinks

Added sugar is one of the worst ingredients in the modern diet.

However, some sources of sugar are worse than others, and sugary drinks are particularly harmful.

When you drink liquid calories, your brain doesn’t appear to register them as food. Thus, you may end up drastically increasing your total calorie intake.

When consumed in large amounts, sugar can drive insulin resistance and is strongly linked to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. It’s also associated with various serious conditions, including type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

Some people believe that sugary drinks are the most fattening aspect of the modern diet — and drinking them in large amounts can drive fat gain and obesity.

Alternatives

Drink water, soda water, coffee, or tea instead. Adding a slice of lemon to water or soda water can provide a burst of flavor.

2. Flour

Here are some reasons to avoid white flour:

1. Acidic: During the process of refining, all the nutrients are removed and white flour becomes acidic in nature. A diet high in acidic foods like fast foods other white flour products forces the body to pull calcium from bones which in turn affects bone density. Over-acidity is one of the primary causes of chronic inflammation, which may cause arthritis and other chronic illnesses.

2. Digestive issues: White flour has been called the “glue of the gut”. In today’s world, a lot of food is made from white flour and it all turns to glue in the intestines. It has no fiber, it congests the system, slows down digestion which creates a sluggish metabolism, and can often lead to weight gain, stress, headaches and migraines and constipation.

3. Nutrient deficient: White flour is usually refined so the inner germ layer and the outer bran are removed. In the process, much of the fiber and essential nutrients like vitamins and minerals and phytochemicals are lost. In addition, The bleaching process is done using chemicals which gives white flour its distinctive white colour. While these may not be harmful to your health, they are still artificial ingredients that can be easily eliminated from your diet.

The bleaching process is done using chemicals which gives white flour its distinctive white colour.

4. L-cysteine: This is a non-essential amino acid which is added to the baked goods like pizza doughs, cookies and fast food buns. The cheaper production method of L-cysteine includes synthesizing it from duck or chicken feathers, human hair and other petroleum byproducts.

5. Diabetes causing ingredient: It contains alloxan that has a negative effect on your body. It destroys the beta-cells of the pancreas and is also toxic for the body. It is also known to be a contaminant that can cause diabetes.

Some alternatives of white flour:

For better health in the long run, you should completely avoid consuming white flour and the foods made from it. Instead, you can use some healthy alternatives like wheat flour, millets (like Jowar& Bajra), opt for multi-grain bread and noodles or pasta made up of wheat flour. These products are easily available in general stores and are healthy too.

3.Hot Dogs

It’s National Hot Dog Day, another made up food holiday that delivers free or discounted hot dogs to hungry Americans. Among the many deals to honor the unofficial holiday, Burger King will sell its classic grilled hot dogs for 79 cents each until the end of July, while hot dogs are available for a $1 each at Sonic Drive-In locations. But hot dogs are probably not the best meal for the health conscious.

Although the ballpark staple is a popular summer food, hot dogs are definitely not a favorite among health professionals, who take issue with the low nutrition levels of the food and how hot dogs are processed.

A typical pork hot dog contains 204 calories and 18 g of total fat and 620 g of sodium — and this is before condiments like ketchup, mustard and relish are added.

Furthermore, eating hot dogs increases your chances of getting certain diseases. Hot dogs, like many processed meats, are linked to increased risks for health issues like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer and higher mortality.

An analysis of the diets of 1,660 people found that the risk for getting bladder cancer went up with the amount of processed meats consumed. And a 2015 study found that eating processed foods made for a higher risk of getting type 2 diabetes than eating red meat.

Of particular concern among health experts and doctors are nitrates, preservatives added to hot dogs from synthetic materials or natural sources that give the meat longer shelf life and more color. When digested, nitrates turn into nitrites, which have been linked to cancer in test subject animals.

Nitrates and nitrites have so worried consumers that wiener icon Oscar Mayer announced in May that it would remove artificial preservatives and the added compounds from its hot dogs.

4. Coffee

More than 4 cups of coffee linked to early death. A Mayo Clinic partnered study found that men who drank more than four 8 fl.oz. cups of coffee had a 21% increase in all-cause mortality. However, those that reported that they consumed excessive amounts of caffeine were also likely to smoke and have poor fitness. Dr. Nancy Snyderman from NBC said there were a few discrepancies with the study, but stresses that moderation is still key. See Her Interview Here. Another study showed that those who consume 6+ coffees per day have a greater risk of developing heart disease.

Caffeine consumption may raise blood pressure. Especially in those already suffering from hypertension and those who don’t normally consume caffeine. People with hypertension were given 250 mg of caffeine (about 2 coffees) and the data revealed that their blood pressure was elevated for about 2-3 hours after the caffeine. A second study performed by The Mayo Clinic foundsimilar results from a 160 mg dose. All participants experienced a marked rise in blood pressure and it was the most pronounced in those that didn’t normally consume caffeine.

Increased risk of heart attacks among young adults. A study conducted by Dr. Lucio Mos found that young adults who were diagnosed with mild hypertension had 4 times the risk of having a heart attack if they consumed the amount of caffeine equivalent to 4 cups of coffee.  More moderate consumption showed 3 times the risk.

Caffeine linked to gout attacks. This study showed that people who binge on caffeinated beverages increase their risk for a gout flare-up.

Breast tissue cysts in women. One study showed that “Women who consumed 31–250 mg of caffeine/day had a 1.5-fold increase in the odds of developing fibrocystic breast disease and women who drank over 500 mg/day had a 2.3-fold increase in the odds of developing cysts.

Caffeine could cause incontinence. A study out of the University of Alabama showed that women who consume a lot of caffeine are 70% more likely to develop incontinence.

Caffeine may cause insomnia. Caffeine in a person’s system at bedtime can mimic the symptoms of insomnia.

Caffeine can cause indigestion. People who consume caffeinated beverages often report an upset stomach or indigestion. This mainly occurs when the beverages are consumed on an empty stomach.

5. Ackee

How poisonous is ackee?

Now on to the next question: Isn’t ackee poisonous? I’ve said before that I’m not here to deny the facts. But also, that hype and sensationalism has driven fear into many without providing the facts. Some of these headlines like:

“deadly fruit” or

“food that Jamaicans love that can kill you” or

“that one time I nearly killed my family” or

Times most “dangerous foods”

can give you pause if you’re unfamiliar with ackee. For me seeing these headlines brings me to eye-rolling to the nth degree. The very BORING truth is that ackee that has been properly harvested and prepared is harmless.

Let’s also take note that there are other fruits and vegetables that contain poisons that are eliminated during the preparation or cooking process. Both cassava and the pits of stone fruit such as cherries, apricots and plums contain hydrogen cyanide. Much in the same way you wouldn’t go munching on cherry seeds you wouldn’t eat an ackee seed.

Can ackee kill you?

To answer the question of whether ackee can kill you. We must first look at what makes it poisonous in the first place. The first researcher who identified the active principle in ackee that caused its toxicity, and therefore allowed Jamaica to safely eat the fruit was Professor Cedric Hassall. Additionally, most of the further ackee research that has been conducted is done by Department of Chemistry at the University of the West Indies, Mona in Jamaica.

What the research shows

He observed that there is a toxin in the unripe ackee which leads to vomiting and in some cases death. This is why previously Jamaican Vomiting Sickness Syndrome was the name given to the condition observed of persons who had eaten unripe ackee. Professor Hassall called this toxin hypoglycin A and observed that it dramatically lowered blood sugar levels. Additionally, he showed that through ripening and when exposed to sunlight the levels of the toxin in the fruit drop.

Further research shows that ackees also contain hypoglycin B. Both Hypoglycin A and B are unusual amino acids. When we think of amino acids we probably all learnt at some point, that there are nine essential amino acids that our bodies need for proper functioning. I mention this here to give context to our discussion and hopefully remove yet another layer of mystery and fear.

Now back to those unusual amino acids.

Hypoglycin A is present in the aril of the fruit (the yellow fleshy bit). The levels of this toxin decrease 13-fold as the fruit matures and ripens. It is also water soluble and thus the typical recommendation to blanch the fruit and discard the cooking water before eating.

Hypogylcin B is present in the seeds of the ackee. The seeds are NEVER to be consumed. Whereas the toxin levels decrease in the aril as it ripens; the levels of the toxins in the seeds actually increase as it ripens. This is why the seeds are removed and typically discarded in the cleaning process. I do know however, that some persons dry the seeds and grind them to make exfoliates for homemade soaps. This isn’t scary or weird or strange, think of apricot scrub, that well known product from St. Ives and other brands then recall that stone fruit pits contain cyanide. It all boils down to the application.

What happens if you eat raw ackee?

The question of is it safe to eat ackee raw is another common one.

I will reiterate that the recommendation of the Department of Chemistry UWI Mona, is that the ackee be blanched (boiled) and the cooking water discarded. Further if you are boiling two items at once, they advise against boiling it in the same pot with the ackee as there is the potential for the hypoglycin A to be leeched from the ackees and absorbed by the other food it is being boiled with.

That being said, in Jamaica some persons do in fact eat ackee raw. For the most part they are only eating the fruit that has been allowed to mature fully with the pod opening naturally to reveal the seeds and arils. They are also for the most part washing the arils very well. Since the hypoglycin A is water soluble the act of washing the arils should in theory help reduce the levels.

Another preparation method before eating ackee raw, is to expose it to sunlight. This by default reduces the toxin levels which we know from the initial research findings.

Raw ackee served in Jamaica

On a visit to Jamaica in March of this year, I went to Mi Hungry in Kingston which is a raw food restaurant for lunch. On their menu is a Raw Food Burger  and “Pleaza” both which can be ordered with ackee.

(Side note: I generally don’t do restaurant reviews and this isn’t a recommendation for or against Mi Hungry. I do have my feelings about both dishes I tried, most people give them positive reviews and really enjoy the food and I can understand why. For now I’ll hold on to my thoughts and will give them another try the next time I’m home before giving my overall impression)

6. Cheese

The Disadvantages of Eating Cheese

Written by Paula Martinac; Updated November 21, 2018

Cheese consumption in the United States has risen dramatically since 1970. According to the Harvard Medical School, Americans now eat about 35 pounds of cheese per person annually – mostly thanks to the preponderance of convenience foods and a marked preference for Mexican and Italian restaurant cuisines. Eating cheese in large quantities may have disadvantages for your health, but enjoying this dairy food in moderation may fit into a healthy diet.

Calories and Fat

cheese goes a long way. The suggested Among the disadvantages of eating cheese are its calorie count and fat content. Just a little bit of serving size for cheese is 1.5 ounces – about the size of four dice or 1/3 cup shredded – but you may be getting twice that amount or more in your cheese-smothered nachos and four-cheese pizza.

An ounce and a half of two popular cheeses, Swiss and Cheddar, gives you 168 and 173 calories, respectively, and 13 to 14 grams of fat, about half of which is saturated fat. In terms of raising cholesterol levels, saturated fat is one of the culprits, along with trans fats. High blood cholesterol levels may boost your risk of heart disease and stroke.

Softer cheeses, like goat and feta, offer fewer calories and less fat. An ounce and a half of either supplies 113 calories and 9 grams of fat, 6 grams of which are saturated. Mozzarella comes in slightly higher at 128 calories per ounce and the same amount of fat.

Disadvantages of Sodium

Cheese is also notorious for its high sodium content, and most Americans are eating too much of this electrolyte in their diets, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Current recommendations are 2,300 milligrams of sodium daily for healthy adults and 1,500 for those with high blood pressure. Excess sodium in your diet has a disadvantage in that it may increase your blood pressure, which in turn boosts your risk for stroke and heart disease. Overconsumption of sodium may also lead to kidney problems.

As with calories and fat, the amount of sodium in cheese varies with the variety you choose. For example, just 1.5 ounces of feta gives you 390 milligrams of sodium, or 17 percent of the daily value on a 2,000-calorie diet; and you may be getting more than that amount in your Greek salad or wrap. Swiss cheese has a much lower sodium content, with 80 milligrams in 1.5 ounces, while mozzarella and Cheddar come in at roughly 270 milligrams in the same serving.

7. Meat

By now, you’ve probably heard that eating meat is bad for you. The World Health Organization made headlines last year when it declared processed meat a “carcinogen” that increases your risk of colon or rectum cancer by 18 percent. But it’s not just processed meat that poses a health risk — science has known for a while that eating all kinds of animals, including “white meat,” is bad for you. Like, really bad.

I myself had a vague idea that eating too much meat wasn’t great for my health, but since I used to only eat “a little” meat, and usually organic at that, I sort of thought of myself as exempt. Well, not so much. While cutting back on your meat consumption in any form is a great step to take, the fact remains that eating any meat — hormone-free or not — poses several serious long-term risks to your health. It’s worth knowing exactly what the health risks of eating meat are, so that you can make an informed decision for yourself about how much of a risk you feel it’s necessary to take by continuing to consume animals.

Here are eight reasons eating meat is bad for you.

1. It Signifigantly Increases Your Risk Of Cancer

.2. It Increases Your Risk Of Heart Disease And Diabetes

3. Eating Meat Makes It Harder To Maintain A Healthy Body Weight

4. Meat Carries The Highest Risk Of Foodborne Illness

5. It Might Contribute To Erectile Dysfunction In Men

6. Most Meat Has Hormones In It

7. It May Make You Resistant To Antibiotics

8. It Increases Your Risk Of Death

8.  Fugu

Served in paper-thin slices by expert chefs, fugu combines luxury with a high-stakes gamble. The intestines, ovaries and liver of fugu (or blowfish) contain a poison called tetrodotoxin, which is 1,200 times deadlier than cyanide. The toxin is so potent that a lethal dose is smaller than the head of a pin, and a single fish has enough poison to kill 30 people. Because of the high risk, chefs must undergo two to three years of training to obtain a fugu-preparing license, and such expertise raises the price of a fugu dish to up to $200. But this hasn’t stopped the Japanese — about 40 kinds of fugu are caught in Japan, and people consume 10,000 tons of the fish every year.

Statistics from the Tokyo Bureau of Social Welfare and Public Health indicate 20 to 44 incidents, some affecting multiple diners, of fugu poisoning per year between 1996 and 2006 in Japan. Between 34 and 64 people were hospitalized, and zero to six died, per year, with an average fatality rate of 6.8%.

9. Death Cap Mushrooms

Perhaps the deadliest of all mushrooms, the death cap is found throughout Europe and closely resembles edible straw mushrooms and caesar’s mushrooms. Its heat-stable amatoxins withstand cooking temperatures and quickly damage cells throughout the body. Within 6 to 12 hours after consumption, violent abdominal pain, vomiting, and bloody diarrhea appear, causing rapid loss of fluid from the tissues and intense thirst. Signs of severe involvement of the liver, kidneys, and central nervous system soon follow, including a decrease in urinary output and a lowering of blood sugar. This condition leads to coma and death in more than 50 percent of the incidents. Notable deaths include Pope Clement VII, who died of accidental death cap poisoning in 1534, and possibly Roman Emperor Claudius in 54 CE. Although they taste pleasant and resemble many other varieties of non-toxic mushrooms, when eaten, the death cap mushroom causes severe abdominal pain and vomiting. If you ingest a large portion of this deadly mushroom it causes liver, kidney and heart damage.

10.  Microwave Popcorn

Those little bags of popcorn are just so convenient and easy to use. They seem so harmless, don’t they? They are anything but.

First, let’s start with the bag itself, which is lined with a chemical called PFOA, or perfluorooctanoic acid. Maybe you have heard the warning that your non-stick pots and pans are toxic? Your microwave popcorn is lined with the same toxic non-stick lining. When heated this chemical has been shown to cause cancer and infertility in lab animals.

The popcorn itself doesn’t appear to be GMO, but you can’t be sure since there are no labeling requirements. However, there are other ingredients that definitely are such as the oil and the emulsifiers, not to mention that these oils contain huge amounts of trans-fats.

Last is that “butter flavor.” This is made from a chemical called diacetyl, which is so toxic that one brand of popcorn, ACT, actually removed it because it was making their own factory workers seriously ill. This chemical is also listed as a known carcinogen as well.

There is no need to buy microwave popcorn when it is SO easy to make your own at home.